https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgervj9p59xo
The public inquiry into the Omagh bombing is set to hold its first hearing on Tuesday.
Its chairman Lord Alan Turnbull is likely to set out the inquiry’s direction during a day of proceedings in the County Tyrone town.
Twenty-nine people, including a woman expecting twins, were murdered in the Real IRA attack on 15 August 1998.
The inquiry will examine whether steps could have been taken to prevent the bombing, which was the the biggest single atrocity of the Troubles.
It was established last year, following a long legal battle by some victims’ families.
Michael Gallagher
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was one of the victims, hopes the inquiry "is the beginning of the end"
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was one of those killed in the bombing, said the inquiry has been an “unbelievably long time coming” but said he hopes it will be ”the beginning of the end”.
“As a bereaved parent, I will be happy in the knowledge that I have done everything that I could to try and bring justice and truth,” he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.
Mr Gallagher said he expects the inquiry to last a couple of years due to the sheer amount of material to wade through and the number of witnesses to interview.
“We are just looking forward to the process starting and then we’ll know better how it’s going to work,” he said.
“It’ll just be interesting to see, as we move through this inquiry, what we discover and what will end up.
“We hold out the hope for truth -whether we get justice or not is another question.”
Public hearing
Bereaved families and survivors are likely to attend the public hearing at the Strule Arts Centre in the town.
It is described as a preliminary session to deal with procedural issues.
No witnesses will be called or evidence heard until next year.
PA Media A group of people gather in the memorial gardens in Omagh, which features a small pond and 29 pillars to represent the victims, for the 25th anniversary of the attackPA Media
Victims families have campaigned for an independent statutory inquiry into the Omagh bombing
Part of the inquiry’s remit will be to establish if security measures could have disrupted dissident activities in the run-up to the bombing.
It will also evaluate the intelligence picture.
But it is not its purpose to identify the individuals responsible.
The attack was mounted from the Republic of Ireland and the Irish government has promised to assist the inquiry.
However, it has rebuffed a call for a separate or joint public inquiry.
by Michael_of_Derry